Synonyms of conceive

conceive

verb

kən-ˈsēv 

1

as in to imagine

to form a mental picture of

it takes an idealist to conceive a world without war, and an activist to make it happen

Synonyms & Similar Words

• imagine
• envision
• see
• visualize
• envisage
• dream
• picture
• vision
• fantasize
• contemplate
• fantasy
• feature
• ideate
• conjure (up)
• fancy
• plan
• conceit
• image
• daydream
• reflect
• foresee
• invent
• ponder
• concoct
• hallucinate
• relive
• ruminate
• meditate
• manufacture
• re-create
• muse
• reminisce
• project
• prefigure
• make up
• fabricate
• stargaze

2

as in to understand

to have a clear idea of

I cannot conceive the reason for such pointless vandalism

Synonyms & Similar Words

• understand
• know
• comprehend
• decipher
• recognize
• grasp
• see
• appreciate
• discern
• perceive
• realize
• get
• apprehend
• sense
• assimilate
• make
• seize
• behold
• decode
• register
• intuit
• tumble (to)
• make out
• cotton (to or on to)
• dig
• catch on (to)
• cognize
• fathom
• grok
• catch
• twig
• compass
• pick up on
• savvy
• absorb
• digest
• penetrate
• take in
• pierce

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• miss
• misunderstand
• misinterpret
• misread
• mistake
• misconstrue
• misconceive
• misapprehend
• misperceive

3

as in to think

to have as an opinion

I just can't conceive that he would have lied

Synonyms & Similar Words

• think
• believe
• imagine
• consider
• guess
• figure
• suppose
• feel
• deem
• perceive
• judge
• reckon
• hold
• allow
• assume
• accept
• regard
• view
• esteem
• presume
• rely
• depend
• trust
• infer
• conclude
• surmise
• presuppose
• deduce

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• doubt
• suspect
• question
• reject
• discredit
• distrust
• mistrust
• disbelieve

Synonym Chooser

How is the word conceive distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of conceive are envisage, envision, fancy, imagine, realize, and think. While all these words mean "to form an idea of," conceive suggests the forming and bringing forth and usually developing of an idea, plan, or design.

conceived of a new marketing approach

How do envisage and envision relate to one another, in the sense of conceive?

Both envisage and envision imply a conceiving or imagining that is especially clear or detailed.

envisaged a totally computerized operation

envisioned a cure for the disease

When could fancy be used to replace conceive?

Although the words fancy and conceive have much in common, fancy suggests an imagining often unrestrained by reality but spurred by desires.

fancied himself a super athlete

In what contexts can imagine take the place of conceive?

While in some cases nearly identical to conceive, imagine stresses a visualization.

imagine you're at the beach

When would realize be a good substitute for conceive?

The synonyms realize and conceive are sometimes interchangeable, but realize stresses a grasping of the significance of what is conceived or imagined.

realized the enormity of the task ahead

When can think be used instead of conceive?

In some situations, the words think and conceive are roughly equivalent. However, think implies the entrance of an idea into one's mind with or without deliberate consideration or reflection.

I just thought of a good joke

Examples of conceive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Founded in 2006, the bloc was originally conceived of as an organization of economically developing nations. —Ivana Saric, Axios, 22 Oct. 2024

Its curvy supporting arches, which are being built from local brick, are conceived as hollow structures with openings that capture the wind and channel air into the building. —Adam Williams, New Atlas, 18 Oct. 2024

Like all Moser movements, this one is gorgeously conceived, constructed and finished. —Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2024

From its earliest beginnings, the project was conceived as a father-son vehicle that would allow both Damons to share the screen on a more regular basis. —Nick Caruso, TVLine, 13 Oct. 2024